Comments by ryaninaustin

Comment #125080 by ryaninaustin on February 10, 2008 at 10:43 pm

So, does anyone know if the "100 book" bet was resolved?

2. Are Darwin's Theories Fact or Faith Issues?

Comment #120489 by ryaninaustin on February 1, 2008 at 7:44 pm

This was one of the (SCARY) comments left by, I assume, a supporter of ID on the Dembski discussion thread that was erased:

"I was disappointed by Dr. Simmons’ arguments and performance and think PZ easily won the debate.

The ID movement is wasting its time and resources, in my opinion. This ID vs. evolution fight will never be won with either debates, arguments, brochures, web sites or what have you. The opposition has a propaganda machine that is impervious to this strategy. If public debates and discussions are the best that we can do, I’m afraid we have lost the war before it has even started.

ID needs a BIG EVENT. It needs something that will get everybody (laymen and experts alike) to stand up and take notice, something that will quickly and decisively nullify the enemy’s defences. I don’t see these endless debates and arguments making a dent in their armor. They’re stronger than ever.

Education and arguments are nice but they will only be effective after we’re on top, not before. Sorry to sound so negative but that’s the way I see it at the moment."

I can't imagine that this is real. If it is, it is truly disturbing.

3. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions

Comment #118077 by ryaninaustin on January 30, 2008 at 9:45 am

I'm glad I watched this. On March 19, I am planning to attend RD's book tour stop in Austin TX. I'd have hated to wear my hat backwards and chew gum only to discover that it offends him.

4. George Scales, War Hero and Generous Friend of RDFRS

Comment #111656 by ryaninaustin on January 15, 2008 at 10:36 am

George,

So fruitless the encouraging words of an American stranger must seem. If not for the efforts of the RDFRS -through your contributions in part- we would undoubtedly remain as such.

I wish you all the best. I wish you health and peace. I wish you a quick recovery.

We should all be so lucky to have a life filled with as much longevity and significance as yours.

Ryan Spradlin

5. Hitler, Stalin, Mao, etc. were atheists, and they were terrible! Answer that!

Comment #85279 by ryaninaustin on November 5, 2007 at 12:00 pm

This might not be an altogether effective recruiting argument, but has anyone asked, 'who cares?'

Hear me out: we are seeking truth. The truth is not always pretty. We can't ignore the hideous actions that atheists have carried out throughtout our history. Granted, they didn't act on behalf of atheism, but these people are atheists (arguably) doing horrendous things.

The point that atheists are morally better or worse people is inconsequential because we as rationalists seek existential truth - not moral justification (we ought to leave that to the philosophers).

Pol Pot was atheist. Who cares? Hitler was atheist. Who cares? Their actions reflect the nature of man more than the nature of atheism.

If these people were deeply religious, would these atrocities have been avoided or perhaps exacerbated? Maybe. Even still, this point contributes nothing to prove the existence of god.